TikTok users have been startled by the viral video showing the dangers of using a tampon. TikToker Rachel Morgan claimed that this menstrual product could cause cancer because of its dangerous content: titanium dioxide.
However, health experts quickly debunk the fallacies behind the controversial clip and encourage people to stop worrying about it.
Viral TikTok Claims Tampons Are Unsafe to Use
Aside from various trends from songs and dances to dangerous challenges, TikTok has become a go-to site for health advice. Recently, a viral video has alarmed many concerned users regarding the use of tampons.
As Gizmodo spotted, the influencer said tampons could be harmful as they may lead to cancer. Since they contain titanium dioxide, according to the TikToker, they can cause more harm than good in the woman's body.
The video went viral quickly, but as soon as health experts saw it, they informed the public that using tampons is completely safe and there's nothing to worry about.
Titanium dioxide, the component that is claimed to be causing cancer, is widely used in different products such as toothpaste and sunscreen. In fact, it's FDA-approved which means that it's safe for human use.
As of writing, the controversial video by @rachelmorgann__ already has over 1.5 million likes and 100,000 shares.
Speaking of the clip, Morgan said that people should stop using Procter & Gamble's organic cotton core tampons. She also urged the women to check the ingredients on the box's back.
@rachelmorgann__ TAMPON USERS LISTEN UP #fyp #tampons ♬ original sound - rachel morgan
She continued that a girl who tried the same product suffered from excessive bleeding, which lasted for two weeks. On top of that, she also experienced "irreversible" uterine damage and an ovarian cyst.
Some people in the comment section agreed with Morgan. Others suggest getting a menstrual cup because it's safer than tampons. Another person wrote that she prefers using pads to tampons.
There's also a group of commenters who opposed the video. One woman commented that Titanium dioxide is in Tylenol, so it's in everything people consume daily. Another replied that the video spits wrong information to the public since the chemical is safe for consumption.
Related Article : Tiktok Trend: Women Share Videos of Them Removing IUDs, But is it Safe?
Tampons Don't Cause Cancer
To debunk the myth that tampons can cause cancer, several doctors on TikTok posted a video. In an interview with Gizmodo, the experts said that there's no evidence that says that using this product can cause harm to humans.
As per Dr. Ryan Marino, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine medical toxicologist, titanium dioxide can be dangerous and "carcinogenic" when inhaled. This usually happens when it's sniffed by a person exposed to industrial chemicals.
Based on the previous demonstrations, this instance does not happen to humans, but it's a "real" concern for rats. Additionally, he said that it could cause genetic damage to animals. However, it does not apply to humans once again.
"It is important to note that studies in rats, mice, and other animals are not directly applicable to humans. While animal studies give us important information, they cannot be directly generalized to people," Marino said.
A fake health advice debunker Dr. Jennifer Gunter who turns out to be an OB/GYN, as well says that women should not panic because tampons are not "toxic death sticks."
Since titanium dioxide cannot dissolve in water, it won't get inside the blood in the vagina through its nanoparticles. This means that a tampon string soaked in blood should not alarm the women regarding the possible titanium dioxide leak.
In another TikTok report, Parade wrote that PETA slams well-known chef Gordon Ramsay because of his joke about the lamb as a dinner.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joseph Henry
